LinkedIn is a social networking site for the business community. It boasts more than 45 million users worldwide. If you are a business professional, you have probably had some experience with LinkedIn already. If not, it would be beneficial for you to learn more about it. I liken it to Monster.com meets social media. It is encouraging to note that the Christian community is growing on LinkedIn and ministers are slowly beginning to use it as a tool to connect and share ministry opportunities with one another.
However, I would like to mention a very subtle but powerful way to share your faith on LinkedIn. There is a tool that allows the user to import and display their blog on their LinkedIn profile. For a Christian producing a faith-based blog, this is a great opportunity to deliver thought provoking spiritual material to colleagues.
Steps:
1. Sign in to LinkedIn
2. Click “Edit Profile”
3. Choose “Add Application”
4. Click “Blog Link”
5. Follow Blog Link Directions
For more information about LinkedIn, read this and watch this YouTube video.
The Future of Social Media
In a post today, Wes Woodell, on his blog West Coast Witness, asked the question(s) “Is Social Media Just a Fad? Will Facebook Fade Like Vanilla Ice?” Included in that post was a YouTube video from Socialnomics (Watch Below). Both reaffirm the reality that social media has parked its massive rear end in our culture/world and isn’t getting up in the foreseeable future. The question for the church is: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Several lectures and conversations I have heard recently have been quick to demonize social media. A substantial number of professors I have encountered in a college that trains ministers, are outwardly opposed to it. Likewise, there is no curriculum to train ministers to use it. Regardless of your opinion on the dangers of texting in traffic or the deficits of grammar in today’s youth, it is negligent to conclude that the form of communication among the world’s population is going to miraculously digress to 20th century practices. Communication will continue to evolve, but it is apparent that social media is going to be part of the method. If we cannot embrace social media sufficiently to deliver the message of Christ in a way that a significant portion of the population communicates, we do nothing more than do evangelism on OUR TERMS rather than following the pattern of the Bible.
What do you think?
Post Idea – Plinky
Having trouble coming up with things to write about? Want to avoid becoming redundant or preachy? Want to keep the blog fresh and appealing to today’s readers?
Plinky is a free web based service that offers writing prompts. Some are silly, others introspective, and others are bizarre. Still, some of them are perfect for sharing your everyday walk with Christ. Sign up and try it. You are under no obligation to use their service but you might find it useful.
Here are some interesting prompts you might find interesting:
Share your thoughts with a Plinky audience, import your answers into your blog, and read other people’s response to the same question.
Have fun and let your light shine!
Please let CBT know what you think of Plinky.
I’m not a writer!
One of the biggest reasons why people don’t start a blog is the thought:
“I’m not a writer!”
Fair enough. Some people aren’t writers. BUT if that is your reason, are you giving yourself a fair hearing? Bailey and Storch in their book The Blogging Church say “people are tired of perfection; they’re looking for authenticity.”
Have you considered their point?
More than likely, you will never write perfectly. If you hold yourself to the standard of a book, magazine, or newspaper, you better get yourself…an editorial team. Everything you read in the professional market is previewed and edited multiple times. Blogging doesn’t have to be perfect! It just has to be real. If the ultimate goal is to share the gospel, people need to see your walk with Christ, not a polished dissertation.
You can do this! If you feel inadequate as a writer (don’t worry, I do too!), here is a quick guide to help with grammar, word choice and general style of writing. Grab a copy, and use as needed.
Strunk and White – The Elements of Style
Blessings in your blogging!
Blogging Survey
Please take 3-4 minutes to complete this survey about blogging.
Please share the link with your fellow internet users. Our goal is at least 500 responses. Thank you for your help.
Post Idea – Video
Almost everyone who has spent time online has seen a YouTube video. Maybe it was on a blog, linked in an email or found in a Google search? Hopefully you have seen a video that either makes you think or inspires you in some way. This week, use a thought provoking or inspiring video as a discussion starter on your blog.
1. Search and find your video on YouTube
2. Copy the [EMBED] code in the top right hand corner
3. Open Add New Post on your blog
4. Past the code in your [HTML] pane
5. Write discussion questions and/or request feedback
Here are a few examples that have prompted some great discussions in the past:
Please share video examples that you find effective.
Feed Readers – Interacting with your Audience
Interacting with your audience is vital to gaining readers to your blog and identifying those who may be interested in studying the message of Jesus. Additionally, it helps you understand who you are trying to connect with and therefore allows you to tailor your message in the future to reach them with the Gospel.
The #1 way to do this is to read their blogs and comment on posts. However, it becomes a daunting task to visit each of their blogs and read through their posts. It there an easier way? Yes!
Please watch this short video to learn how to utilize a feed reader and begin interacting with your audience.
Link to the Bible
BibleGateway.com is a powerful online tool. Google the term “bible” and you will find that Bible Gateway is #1. This free online service provides 20 english translations of the biblical text and a great place to link your readers to God’s truth.
How?
- Go to biblegateway.com
- Type your passage and select your translation OR search for the keyword you are looking for
- Once you locate your passage in the translation you desire – copy the URL at the top of the screen
- Hyperlink your blog text to lead your readers to examine the text for themselves.
Here are few examples
Jesus sent his disciples to share the message of salvation in the Great Commission.
Jesus’ intructions for the gospel message…
Be creative in order to engage your audience and to encourage them to read the truth themselves. Readers are proven to be more apt to click a link than to search for your suggestions. Whenever we have an opportunity, we should link people back to the Bible!
Post Idea – Photos
Everywhere we go we are surrounded by images. If they haven’t been captured yet it won’t be long before they are.
- When we drive down the highway we see billboards.
- When we go to a restaurant there is a tv streaming image after image.
- When we turn on the computer they jump out at us.
- Your walls are covered with them.
- They are in your wallet, on your phone, in your ipod or stuck to your refrigerator.
Why do you keep them around and keep looking at them? Because many of them have some sort of meaning.
Now, find a photo/image that inspires you. One that makes you seek God or long for Him. A photo that causes you to want to serve the poor, conquer your fears or fight injustice. Maybe that image reminds you of all you have been blessed with? Take that photo in digital form, post it to your blog and tell the story behind it. Inspire people and show them the places you see God every day!
The Redemptive Analogy – Introduction
A few years ago, by the recommendation of a co-worker, I purchased a book. Unfortunately, it sa
t dormant on my shelf until a few months ago. After I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.
Don Richardson in his autobiographical work, Peace Child, describes the cross-cultural mission work he did among the Sawi people of Netherlands New Guinea beginning in 1962. It is a fascinating story of hope, courage and perseverance. Richardson spent countless hours learning the language a
nd studying the culture. He encountered many hardships and obstacles in trying to teach the word of God. Then, in a moment, he witnessed the connection that would allow him to help the Sawi connect with the Gospel. The Peace Child!
Part of Richardson’s success involved his desire to find that connection or what he calls the “redemptive analogy” that would help the message of Jesus make sense to the Sawi. I believe that we have to be looking to find that same analogy in order to help the 21st century person understand and connect with Jesus. The reality is, for whatever reason, people don’t get the message of Jesus. Our job is to help them see and understand Him.
Stay tuned as we discuss how to seek the redemptive analogy.
Richardson, Don. Peace Child. Ventura: Regal Books, 2005.